Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#125318 - 12/16/09 12:27 AM Kelty Red Cloud or Kelty Phantom pack?
fadetoblack6902 Offline
member

Registered: 12/12/09
Posts: 21
Loc: St. Louis, MO
I am potentially moving to utah to work in wilderness therapy. I will be backpacking for 8 days on a regular basis in the desert and mountains.

I am looking at 2 packs. A 2 year old Kelty Red Cloud 5600 for $60 (used) and a new Kelty Phantom (from an outdoors shop that went out of business) for $100. I have not seen either pack. The phantom appears to be an older model, but quite high end. It's made of Spectra I believe. I have not seen either of these packs yet.

Does anyone have any experience with either of these packs? Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance

Top
#125323 - 12/16/09 02:48 AM Re: Kelty Red Cloud or Kelty Phantom pack? [Re: fadetoblack6902]
kevonionia Offline
member

Registered: 04/17/06
Posts: 1322
Loc: Dallas, TX
ftb6902:

I lugged a Kelty Red Cloud for several years prior to joining this forum in the mid-Double-Zeroes. Looking at the newest Red Cloud 5600's that they're still selling, that important spec is:

Weight: 5 lb. 10 oz. / 2.5 kg

I think they're lightening these things up, because I'm sure my 5600 RC was over 6 pounds empty on my scale, but then it was all heavy cordura and had a bunch of patches sewn on it. (Duh!) blush

That's just too heavy!

Next I had a Kelty Shadow, which isn't a Spectra-fabric pack but it was half the weight of the RC (and held 4400 cu in.) Now I'm using a stayless GoLite Pinnacle that weighs 1 lb. 14 oz. and holds 4400 cu in. instead of 5600. And I love it. Just as man began to walk upright and stopped dragging his knuckles on the ground, so we evolved with our packs, going lighter, pitching the superfluous, until we're treading lighter, enjoying it more, which is what this forum's about.

If you really can get your hands on that Kelty Phantom, run, don't walk to that out-o-bidness place and snag it. Several people on this forum (bigfoot2 and Jimshaw come to mind) have plenty of experience with these and most of the rest of us are salivating for one of those white Spectra packs. This Phantom one, either the 1998 or 2000 model, sold for $575 or so and is probably going for way more than that now. Both are 5500 cu. in. and the older '98 weighs 4 lbs. and the 2000 weighs 1 lb. 4 oz. without the attached bags.

Definitely get it (be it the '98 or '00) tomorrow (tonight) if this is for real. And ask them if they have a second one . . . and if they say yes, PM me, whistle please.

(note: we had a topic on [b]Kelty Spectra packs not that long ago; might be in winter hiking.)[/b]
_________________________
- kevon

(avatar: raptor, Lake Dillon)


Top
#125328 - 12/16/09 09:38 AM Re: Kelty Red Cloud or Kelty Phantom pack? [Re: kevonionia]
fadetoblack6902 Offline
member

Registered: 12/12/09
Posts: 21
Loc: St. Louis, MO
How is the suspension on the kelty phantom? It seems like internal frame suspensions have come a long way in 10 years. does it stand up to the modern packs?

Top
#125347 - 12/16/09 02:22 PM Re: Kelty Red Cloud or Kelty Phantom pack? [Re: fadetoblack6902]
bigfoot2 Offline
member

Registered: 09/17/06
Posts: 1432
Loc: Eugene , Oregon
Dude, listen to Kev...just get the pack, already!! Not everything new is better. Awesome suspension on the Clouds.

BF cool


Edited by bigfoot2 (12/16/09 02:23 PM)
_________________________
Hammockers aren't stuck up, they're just above it all.

Top
#125389 - 12/16/09 11:14 PM Re: Kelty Red Cloud or Kelty Phantom pack? [Re: bigfoot2]
fadetoblack6902 Offline
member

Registered: 12/12/09
Posts: 21
Loc: St. Louis, MO
I plan to get the pack tomorrow. The guy had a tight schedule today or it would be mine already. Sure sounds like an amazing pack.

He's saying these are 5650 cu. The big ones as good as the 5500 cu bags?


Edited by fadetoblack6902 (12/16/09 11:24 PM)

Top
#125413 - 12/17/09 10:52 AM Re: Kelty Red Cloud or Kelty Phantom pack? [Re: fadetoblack6902]
bigfoot2 Offline
member

Registered: 09/17/06
Posts: 1432
Loc: Eugene , Oregon
If you don't like it, i'll take it off your hands!! Can always use a spare wink

BF cool
_________________________
Hammockers aren't stuck up, they're just above it all.

Top
#125418 - 12/17/09 11:31 AM Re: Kelty Red Cloud or Kelty Phantom pack? [Re: bigfoot2]
fadetoblack6902 Offline
member

Registered: 12/12/09
Posts: 21
Loc: St. Louis, MO
Sorry, meant to say they're 6600 cu. huge!

Top
#125422 - 12/17/09 12:07 PM Re: Kelty Red Cloud or Kelty Phantom pack? [Re: fadetoblack6902]
OregonMouse Online   content
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
Just get it--it's obvious that if you don't like it, you can sell it at a profit!
_________________________
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

Top
#125428 - 12/17/09 12:30 PM Re: Kelty Red Cloud or Kelty Phantom pack? [Re: fadetoblack6902]
kevonionia Offline
member

Registered: 04/17/06
Posts: 1322
Loc: Dallas, TX
ftb:

If/when you get it, give us the details and a pic of it if you can swing it. (Like how that didn't get snatched up by someone B4 now). So some of us can vicariously savor the moment of finding a rare "steal" that I bet you'll enjoy using.
_________________________
- kevon

(avatar: raptor, Lake Dillon)


Top
#125511 - 12/18/09 06:08 PM Re: Kelty Red Cloud or Kelty Phantom pack? [Re: kevonionia]
fadetoblack6902 Offline
member

Registered: 12/12/09
Posts: 21
Loc: St. Louis, MO
I picked it up today! Looks like a 2000 model, in perfect condition. Here's a couple pics

I'm not sure I see the compression straps though, should it have them? Any tips as to the best way to lash sleeping bags/pads/tents onto the tent if they don't go inside?

I managed to pick 2 of these up, and the second is going on ebay in a day or two. He said he might have one more, he just has to find it. If he does and I decide not to take it I'll let you guys know.




Edited by fadetoblack6902 (12/18/09 06:11 PM)

Top
#125521 - 12/18/09 08:23 PM Re: Kelty Red Cloud or Kelty Phantom pack? [Re: fadetoblack6902]
fadetoblack6902 Offline
member

Registered: 12/12/09
Posts: 21
Loc: St. Louis, MO
Actually, it looks more like the 2002 Cloud 6500. Oh well, still a nice pack. Edit: looks like it retailed for $650. Does this sound right?


Edited by fadetoblack6902 (12/18/09 08:36 PM)

Top
#125532 - 12/19/09 12:16 AM Re: Kelty Red Cloud or Kelty Phantom pack? [Re: fadetoblack6902]
fadetoblack6902 Offline
member

Registered: 12/12/09
Posts: 21
Loc: St. Louis, MO
better pics


Top
#125646 - 12/21/09 04:49 PM Re: Kelty Red Cloud or Kelty Phantom pack? [Re: fadetoblack6902]
fadetoblack6902 Offline
member

Registered: 12/12/09
Posts: 21
Loc: St. Louis, MO

Top

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
2 registered (), 174 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum